Longines Legend Diver Watch

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The Longines Legend Diver Watch, a timepiece that’s emblematic of the winged-hourglass brand’s Heritage segment, is now available in coloured versions. In blue or brown, these creations bring a new look to one of the first diving watches designed by Longines, of which the history is filled with technical achievements.

Longines has been a name long associated with sport, and so it is only fitting that it brings its expertise to diving. It all began in 1937, when water-resistance became a quality criterion. Longines developed a watch case with water-resistant push-pieces for its renowned 13ZN calibre, taking care to patent this creation. Subsequently, the winged-hourglass brand brought forth a number of developments, which led it to launch its first civil diving watch in 1958 and several other watches of this type during the 1960s.

Some of these flagship pieces have since been re-issued as part of an “immersion in heritage”. This includes the Longines Legend Diver Watch, released in 2007.

An icon of the rich heritage of the winged hourglass brand, this line has gradually expanded over the years and today proposes new versions in steel with blue or brown shades.

The latest versions of The Longines Legend Diver Watch conserve the spirit and the pure lines of the original timepiece, while benefiting from the brand’s watch-making expertise. They feature up-to-date technical characteristics, such as a box-shaped sapphire glass, two screw-in crowns and a screw-down case back; they are water-resistant to 300 metres or they have an automatic movement with a silicon spring balance, made exclusively for Longines.

The blue or brown shaded dial features luminous hands, hour markers interspersed with luminescent squares and Arab numerals enhanced with Super-LumiNova® rectangles for optimum visibility. A reminder of the codes of the sport for which this watch was originally intended. And just like on the original model, the 42 mm case back is decorated with an embossed emblem of a diver. A structured blue or brown leather strap matches the colour of the dial. These new models of The Longines Legend Diver Watch come with a 5-year warranty.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. With many years of experience as a timekeeper for world championships in sport and as a partner of international sports federations, Longines has forged solid and lasting links with the world of sport over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.

Timeline of Longines Waterproof Watches and Diver’s Timepieces

1937

World’s first Chronograph with patented waterproof push-buttons and Flyback-function: Longines ref. 4270. Movement 13ZN with Flyback-mechanism, case diameter 38 mm, mushroom-shaped pushers. Longines filed a patent for the innovative waterproof chronograph wristwatch with mushroom-shaped push buttons in Feb. 1938.

1942/43

Longines H.S. (Hydrographic Survey) Military Diver’s Wristwatch for the British Royal Navy Frogmen. Water-resistant, sterling silver case made by Albert Thomas Oliver, diameter of 51 mm. Screwed down bezel and back, winding crown protected by a screwed cap. Movement Longines cal. 12.68N. About 50 watches were produced for the Hydrographic Survey Dept.

1958

Longines Nautilus Skin Diver, ref. 6921.

Three-body stainless steel case by Piquerez SA, resisting water pressure up to 120m, diameter of 40 mm, screw back embossed with a diver motif. Bidirectional black revolving bezel calibrated for 60 minutes. Self-winding movement, cal. 19AS. Patented case-sealing “Compressor”-technology.

1959

Super-Compressor Longines Diver’s watch, ref. 7042. Two-body case of 42 mm with screw back, produced by Piquerez SA and waterproof to 120m. Self-winding cal. 19AS., beating at 18’000 bhp. Instead of an external bezel that could be damaged by underwater obstacles, Longines used a bidirectional rotating inner disc calibrated for 60 minutes.

1964

Longines Super-Compressor Diver’s watch, ref. 7494.

Self-winding cal. 290 beating at 19’800 bhp, stronger crowns, waterproof to 200 m.

1965

Longines Super -Compressor Diver’s watch, ref. 7594.

Self-winding cal. 290 beating at 19’800 bhp, waterproof to 200 m.

1967

Longines Skindiver Chronograph, ref. 7981.

Bordeaux-coloured turning bezel, calibrated for 12 hours and 60 minutes, three-body case with screw back, diameter 40 mm. Movement cal. 530, which corresponds to the cal. 30CH, with flyback mechanism. Chronograph with enlarged 30 minutes counter at three o’clock.

1967/68

Longines Ultra -Chron Diver, ref. 7970: First Diver’s watch driven by a high-frequency movement (oscillating at 36’000 beats/hour): Highly accurate movement (cal. 431) manufactured by Longines, guaranteed to an accuracy of two seconds a day. Stainless steel case of 41 mm. waterproof up to 200m. Unidirectional turning bezel.

1968

Longines Ultra -Chron Super-Compressor Diver’s watch, ref. 8221 .
Stainless steel case of 43 mm by E. Piquerez. Intended for professional divers, it resists pressures up to 300m. Hardened mineral glass, inner rotating bezel. Driven by Ultra-Chron high-frequency movement (cal. 431), oscillating at 36 000 bph.

1968

Longines Diver’s Chronograph, ref. 8224.

Cushion-shaped stainless steel case of 42mm, made by Piquerez. Inner rotating bezel with a count-down minute-scale for underwater excursions operated by the crown at 10 o’clock. Stainless steel case resisting pressure of up to 200m. Equipped with cal. 332.

1970

Longines Ultronic Diver, ref. 8484.
Stainless steel case of 41mm, waterproof up to 200m. Electronic tuning fork movement, Longines cal. 6312 based on ESA 9162. Accurate to 2 seconds a day. Unidirectional turning bezel in bright orange.

1971/72

Longines Super-Compressor Military Diver’s watch for the Royal Australian Navy.
Enhanced waterproofness to 300m, calendar date and inside turning bezel, automatic winding, cal. 6651